NDP’s record on job creation off to a bad start

VICTORIA (July 6, 2018) – Today’s jobs numbers released by Statistics Canada show the NDP is failing to create opportunity and affordability for British Columbians.

B.C.’s unemployment rate went up to 5.2 per cent in June, from 4.8 per cent in May, with a loss of 8,000 jobs.

“If that wasn’t bad enough, if we look at year-over-year statistics we see a loss of nearly 21,000 jobs since June 2017, with significant declines in areas like agriculture, finance, and information,” says Andrew Wilkinson, Leader of B.C.’s Official Opposition. “These figures certainly don’t provide much comfort or optimism to B.C.’s workers or our business community— and the situation will only worsen as the NDP’s numerous punishing taxes set in.”

“We have continually pressed the government about the lack of a jobs plan or an economic development strategy," says BC Liberal Finance Co-Critic Shirley Bond. “The NDP’s constant barrage of taxes, including their damaging MSP-replacement tax, are forcing businesses to limit their growth and hiring plans as they anticipate massive tax bills coming their way. The only revenue generation plan that this government has is to extract more money from B.C. taxpayers."

“This is no way to solve our ongoing affordability crisis,” adds BC Liberal Finance Co-Critic Tracy Redies. “British Columbians must have good, family-supporting jobs so they can afford the things they need and enjoy their lives without financial stress. This government has created uncertainty and a negative business climate and that’s leading to job losses.”

Statistics show any growth in jobs has largely been in the public sector. In order to have a strong and thriving economy, private sector job creators must have confidence and certainty and a government that recognizes their critical role.